Rising Stars: Meet Megan Miller of Denver Design District

Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Miller

Hi Megan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
It all began in my childhood kitchen, baking alongside my Sicilian grandmother. From pasta to sauces to cookies, those early experiences planted the seeds for my future love of baking. But at the time, being a chef? Definitely not on my radar!
Fast forward to 16, and I found myself decorating cakes at Publix Supermarkets. What started as a part-time job quickly became a passion. Just three months in, I was hooked on baking, so I applied to culinary school, eager to learn more.
I went on to train at the Notter School of Pastry Arts, where I had the honor of learning under the legendary Swiss chocolatier, Ewald Notter. For 15 years, I honed my skills on the East Coast, specializing in breads and an array of confections, but deep down, I felt the pull to expand my horizons.
In 2020, I moved to Denver, excited to challenge myself in new culinary territory. I’d long admired Rebel Bread at the South Pearl Street Farmers Market, standing in that infamous line for years, savoring every bite. By the end of 2023, the stars aligned, and I had the incredible opportunity to join the team! I started as the Director of Customer Service, and then took over managing the market team I had always adored.
But I didn’t stop there. I knew I could offer more to Rebel Bread and wanted to help Zach, the owner, take things to the next level. He’d always dreamed of starting a focaccia sandwich shop, and together, we decided to make it happen!
In September 2024, Gino Panino was born, bringing our delicious focaccia sandwiches to the Denver food scene!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road’s been a blast because my passion for food runs deep in my veins, passed down like a secret recipe through generations of my family! Cooking has always been my happy place, where I get to mix passion with a sprinkle of creativity. There’s something magical about turning simple ingredients into delicious dishes that speak to peoples taste buds! Watching friends and family light up with that first bite? It’s the best feeling ever. Seriously, I live for the moment when a plate of food makes someone smile, because let’s be real—food has the power to make the world a little bit brighter, one bite at a time!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What really sets me apart in the kitchen is my wild, free-spirited creativity. I’m the kind of chef who doesn’t just follow the recipe – I make it my own. Whether it’s tossing together ingredients I’ve never seen before or inventing completely new concepts, I live for those “Aha!” moments when something truly unexpected comes to life.
Take my anti-gravity key lime pie, for example – it’s like dessert defying physics. Or my mashed potatoes, which might look like the humble side dish, but trust me, they’ve got a twist that’ll have you questioning everything you thought you knew about comfort food. At the end of the day, putting my personal spin on every dish is what makes cooking feel like my own little adventure.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
There’s nothing that gets me quite like seeing people really savor life – especially when that joy is coming from food they’re sharing with the people they love. It’s like the ultimate recipe for happiness: good food, great company, and moments that make you forget about the world for a while. Watching someone take that first bite, their eyes light up, and you know you’ve just made their day? That’s the magic. That’s why I cook – to create memories, not just meals.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rebelbreadco.com and www.ginopanino.com

Image Credits
Brinna Faughnan